Semi-final One lineup
With the running order draw looking more like a football tournament draw, some countries will be wondering how they came about having such bad luck and some will be loving it.
Today, I'll look at the semi final draw and see who will be helped by the songs around them and who won't....
First, the draw:-
1. Montenegro
2. Iceland
3. Greece
4. Latvia
5. Albania
6. Romania
7. Switzerland
8. Belgium
9. Finland (Wildcard)
10.Israel
11.San Marino
12.Cyprus
13.Denmark
14.Russia
15.Hungary
16.Austria
17.Moldova
18.Ireland (Wildcard)
Well, the first semi-final and the 2012 contest couldn't have started out on a worse song! Definitely the wrong position for Montenegro, but then I doubt the position will have any effect on their non-qualification anyway.
I feel sorry for Iceland having to follow it, but their position could go either two ways... 1. The contrast between their song and the previous one could make Iceland shine; or 2. The viewers could have a hang-over from the first song and not be back on track - concentration wise.
Greece follows with a song which I feel compliments Iceland very well and I think following Iceland will work well for the country.
After two strong songs, we have Latvia. I wouldn't have liked to follow Greece, so I think that they will suffer a bit. Not the strongest of songs and may be shown up as a bit lacking.
Albania follow and slow the pace right down. Five songs in, I think that it's quite a good contrast to the songs before and I think the song will benefit from this. A total change in vocal styles to Latvia as well will help.
Having slowed down for Albania, we are back up to speed with Romania. Again, a change in styles which can only help them. If a ballad is not your thing, you'll be happy to get back to Romania. Again, not a bad position to be in for Romania.
Depending on how well Romania perform on stage, this could be a good position for Switzerland. If they go the way of many dance tracks in Eurovision, this could be a good one for the Swiss. However, if Romania pull off a good performance, Romania could suffer.
Another change in styles, sees Belgium take the stage next. Dropping the pace down again, but whether that's a good thing at this stage I would suggest is debatable. Having said that, it's a good contrast to the previous song and I think the extra quality will float to the service. I think they would have been better served with a later positioning, but they should do ok.
Finland chose this position with one of the two wildcard choices. Unfortunately for Finland, they choose the position prior to seeing which songs are around them. Following Belgium is not a good position for them.
A change of pace again, with Israel taking the stage. Another song which hopefully won't get any further, so placing doesn't matter for these. Maybe a good time for a toilet break?
After having a toilet break, why not make yourself a drink? You may as well as it's San Marino next. Following Israel probably helps a bit, but not much. Could squeeze into the final if others aren't well received.
A very good position for Cyprus. Following two weak songs, if the performance is nailed.... say hello to the finals Cyprus!
A very good contrast to Cyprus and I'd be surprised if Denmark doesn't qualify. Getting in to the latter stages of the show. The only problem for Denmark is what follows.....!
A train wreck waiting to happen? Following Denmark's decent song, the Russian song will be funny at least. If they carry it off, they could take the limelight from every other song in this semi-final.
Poor Hungary! Probably the worst draw position out of them all. Everyone will still be laughing and talking about Russia. It's a good song, but will just be overshadowed by Russia and Austria that follows. I'd like to see it qualify and I hope it does.
By now, viewers attention will be starting to wane. Then on comes Austria to slap you about the face with a stinky fish! Again another song where position doesn't matter for them.
Moldova follow which is a good position for them. Close to the end and much better than the song it follows.
Ireland and Jedward seem to do well out of the draws. Arguably the best song of the semi-final and a good way to finish. If viewers are suffering at this point. This song will cheer them up. A fantastic draw for the Irish brothers!
So who will qualify? I'll reveal who Paul and I think will be in the final from this semi-final tomorrow... so keep visiting.
Today, I'll look at the semi final draw and see who will be helped by the songs around them and who won't....
First, the draw:-
1. Montenegro
2. Iceland
3. Greece
4. Latvia
5. Albania
6. Romania
7. Switzerland
8. Belgium
9. Finland (Wildcard)
10.Israel
11.San Marino
12.Cyprus
13.Denmark
14.Russia
15.Hungary
16.Austria
17.Moldova
18.Ireland (Wildcard)
Well, the first semi-final and the 2012 contest couldn't have started out on a worse song! Definitely the wrong position for Montenegro, but then I doubt the position will have any effect on their non-qualification anyway.
I feel sorry for Iceland having to follow it, but their position could go either two ways... 1. The contrast between their song and the previous one could make Iceland shine; or 2. The viewers could have a hang-over from the first song and not be back on track - concentration wise.
Greece follows with a song which I feel compliments Iceland very well and I think following Iceland will work well for the country.
After two strong songs, we have Latvia. I wouldn't have liked to follow Greece, so I think that they will suffer a bit. Not the strongest of songs and may be shown up as a bit lacking.
Albania follow and slow the pace right down. Five songs in, I think that it's quite a good contrast to the songs before and I think the song will benefit from this. A total change in vocal styles to Latvia as well will help.
Having slowed down for Albania, we are back up to speed with Romania. Again, a change in styles which can only help them. If a ballad is not your thing, you'll be happy to get back to Romania. Again, not a bad position to be in for Romania.
Depending on how well Romania perform on stage, this could be a good position for Switzerland. If they go the way of many dance tracks in Eurovision, this could be a good one for the Swiss. However, if Romania pull off a good performance, Romania could suffer.
Another change in styles, sees Belgium take the stage next. Dropping the pace down again, but whether that's a good thing at this stage I would suggest is debatable. Having said that, it's a good contrast to the previous song and I think the extra quality will float to the service. I think they would have been better served with a later positioning, but they should do ok.
Finland chose this position with one of the two wildcard choices. Unfortunately for Finland, they choose the position prior to seeing which songs are around them. Following Belgium is not a good position for them.
A change of pace again, with Israel taking the stage. Another song which hopefully won't get any further, so placing doesn't matter for these. Maybe a good time for a toilet break?
After having a toilet break, why not make yourself a drink? You may as well as it's San Marino next. Following Israel probably helps a bit, but not much. Could squeeze into the final if others aren't well received.
A very good position for Cyprus. Following two weak songs, if the performance is nailed.... say hello to the finals Cyprus!
A very good contrast to Cyprus and I'd be surprised if Denmark doesn't qualify. Getting in to the latter stages of the show. The only problem for Denmark is what follows.....!
A train wreck waiting to happen? Following Denmark's decent song, the Russian song will be funny at least. If they carry it off, they could take the limelight from every other song in this semi-final.
Poor Hungary! Probably the worst draw position out of them all. Everyone will still be laughing and talking about Russia. It's a good song, but will just be overshadowed by Russia and Austria that follows. I'd like to see it qualify and I hope it does.
By now, viewers attention will be starting to wane. Then on comes Austria to slap you about the face with a stinky fish! Again another song where position doesn't matter for them.
Moldova follow which is a good position for them. Close to the end and much better than the song it follows.
Ireland and Jedward seem to do well out of the draws. Arguably the best song of the semi-final and a good way to finish. If viewers are suffering at this point. This song will cheer them up. A fantastic draw for the Irish brothers!
So who will qualify? I'll reveal who Paul and I think will be in the final from this semi-final tomorrow... so keep visiting.
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